And all this plays into the old Tory trick of playing one group of people against another, handily deflecting from their own incompetence. (and its a trick other politicians have used too).
The fact is London Underground is very congested and connectivity between key points - Canary Wharf and the West, Heathrow and the Thameslink corridor, etc etc, is woefully slow and congested. Crossrail is a good strategic investment to give a step change in capacity.
Northern Powerhouse rail is desperately needed to address journey times, capacity, electrification, service length, service speed across the north. There is clear evidence of economic suppression caused by poor infrastructure. Its a good strategic investment to give a step change in capacity.
That one is a good idea does not negate the other ! The reasoning given in the latest leadership campaigns on Northern rail, South West Rail, HS2, is just utterly populist and without logic or proper thought. Wouldn't it be refreshing to hear a politician defending HS2 because of its strategic capacity increase on North/South routes, rather than playing to an audience in Devon and Cornwall saying, HS2 does nothing for you, you are still knocking around in a Pacer, this is outrageous. We need to get past the petty politics of envy and introduce some STRATEGY.
The bus fare issue is a bigger one, and given the absolute decimation of regional bus services, and even sharper fall in usage, a national pricing strategy is surely needed. Something akin to the London £1.50 Hopper fare (though the time limit might need to be extended - many out of London routes lack more than an hourly service). A nationwide scheme to standardise ticketing, support for contactless etc. The fact I can make short journeys in a taxi for less than the bus fare here in Glasgow demonstrates what a spectacular failure bus deregulation has been. Until demand is driven up however (albeit artificially, or through taxation of whatever form), bus services will remain in terminal decline, and the cost of providing them to those with a social need (the elderly etc) will continue to increase.